Musical instrument



Nov. 22,1927. v I v M. M. CHARL5TON MUSICAL INSTRUHENT Filed June 1a, 1926 a 8 m N ATTO R N EY WITNESS Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

MAGNUS 'M. CHARLSTON,

1,650,112 uai'rsn srArEs PATENT QFFICE,

or e-nnvnsron, TEXAS.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed June is,

This invention relates to musical instruments, particularly to those of the mandolin type and has for its object the provision of an instrument of novel construction whereby the tonal qualities and volume will be superior to what can be obtained or attained with the use of a similar instrumentof ordinary construction.

An important and more specific object is the provisionof an instrument in which the head is convexedon both, sides in-longitudi- 11211 and cross section, I having discovered that this peculiar shape combined with the provision of an opening in the back of the head will accomplish the desired result,

Another object is the provision of an in strument of this type in which the head is provided interiorly with longitudinal and transverse brace elements which are arched in shape so as to give the necessary rigidity to the head, from a. mechanical viewpoint, Without in any way interfering with the musical quality, and in f ct aiding the musical quality in regard to tone and volume.

A further object is to provide a novel sound post mounted in the peculiar manner and at an unusual locationso as to assist in the action.

An additional object is the provision of an instrument of this characterwhich will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, positive in action, eiiicient in use, and a general improvement in the art.

Vith the above and other objects and ad vantages in View, the invention consists in the details of construction and the arrangement of elements to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the instrument.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown the instrument as comprising a head 10 and a neck 11 secured thereto and adapted to carry the usual finger board at the ends of which are mounted tuning pegs 13 with which are connected the strings, not shown, the strings being connected at their other ends, with any ordinary or preferred tailpiece.

The novelty in the invention consists in the formation or construction of the head 10 1926, Serial No. 116,955,

which is here shown as including a relatively thick portion 15 which is formed integrally with or upon the neck 11 and a re!- ativcly thick bloclclike portion 16 located at the opposite end. The members 15 and 16 are recessed at one side as indicated at 17 and 18 respectivel the somewhat reduced ends 19 of a longitudinally extending arch shaped strip or bar mem ber20 which preferably has its central portion somewhat reduced as indicated at 21. The frame of the head further includes curved edge or corner strips 22 which are preferably wedge shaped or triangular in cross sections ure 3. Suitably secured to the strips 22. are transversely arranged bowed or arched strips 23 and 2 1. The transverse strips 23 are mortised into the longitudinally extending arched bar 20 while the transverse strips 24 are mortised into one or more longitudinally extending bar members 25 which, extend between the members 15 and 16 and which, are suitably mortised or otherwise secured thereto. v v

The head also includes sheathing elements or sheet members 26 and 27 the latter constituting the sounding board and, the former constituting the bottom and being preferably provided with openings 28 as indicated in Figures 1 and 3, these openings being sep arated b a bar portion 29, or strip as it may he calls formed integrally with the bottom board 26. These sheathing members conform in shape to the shape of the transverse arched bars 23 and 24. The head is com pleted by providing side sheathing 30 which extends around the members 16 and 22 and which is suitably secured to the opposite sides of the portions 15.

To increase the tonal qualities, sounding posts 31 and 32 may be provided, the former being located off to one side and having forked upper and lower ends 33 engaging the top and bottom sheet members 27 and 26, and the latter terminating in slightly spaced relation to a projection 34 located slightly to the rear of the center of the head as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The device may be provided with any de sired or necessary numb-er of strings and is played in exactly the same manner as any other corresponding instrument. However, owing to the peculiar shape of the head considered longitudinally, transversely and in plan, together with the unusual arrangeand seated therein are clearly indicated in Fig ill) ment of the sounding posts, it will be quite evident, and it has been found in actual practice, that the tonal qualities are improved and the volume increased. Ordinarily, this has been diflicultto do inasmuch as the improvement of one generally results in deterioration of the other. However, with this peculiar combination and arrangement of parts a combination of both benefits is attained in an extremely simple manner. It is really believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown the invention as applied to a mandolin, it should be distinctly understood that the same principles of construction may be applied to other string instruments within the scope of the invention. It should be also understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In a musical instrument, a head, a neck, tuning pegs carried by the neck, the head being of hollow formation and convexed at its top and bottom in longitudinal section and cross section, the head including longitudinally extending upper and lower arch bars, upper and lower series of transversely extending arch bars mortised into the longitudinal bars, relatively thick portions at the front and back to which the longitudinal bars are secured, sheathings secured to the longitudinal and transverse members to form the front andback of the head, one sheath ing constituting a sounding board, and a side sheathin 2. In a musical instrument, a head, a neck, tuning pegs carried by the neck, the head being of hollow formation and convexed at its top and bottom in longitudinal section and cross section, the head including longitudinally extending upper and lower arch bars, upper and lower series of transversely extending arch bars mortised into the longitudinal bars, relatively thick portions at the front and back to which the longitudinal bars are secured, sheathings secured to the longitudinal and transverse members, one sheathing constituting a sounding board, and the other being the bottom and provided with an opening at substantially the center, and a side sheathing.

3. In a musical instrument, a head, a neck. tuning pegs carried by the neck, the head being of hollow formation and convexed at its top and bottom in longitudinal section and cross section, the head including longitudinally extending upper and lower arched bars, upper and lower series of transversely extending arch bars mortised into the longitudinal bars, relatively thick portions at the front and back to which the longitudinal bars are secured, sheathings secured to the longitudinal and transverse members, one sheathing constituting a sounding board and being solid, and the other constituting the bottom and being apertured, the head further including curved strips wedge shaped in cross section secured to the thick portions at the ends of the head and to the transverse arch members and a side sheathing.

In testimony whereof I affix m Y signature.

MAGNUS M. CHA LSTON. 

